A 50-State-Plus-DC Exploration of Alice Walton’s Political Contributions

October 18, 2018

Several days ago, I began an exploration of the political contributions of billionaire Wal-Mart heir, Alice Walton. I was both curious about her political spending and desiring to offer readers quick links to the campaign finance web sites in all 50 states and DC.

Below are my findings. I have bolded all entries indication Alice Walton’s spending.

As anyone familiar with Walton’s school choice preferences might expect, she donates her money toward the advancement of charter schools and vouchers. She also likes the Teach for America (TFA) spinoff, Leadership for Ed Equity.

When it comes to school choice and anti-union politicians, Walton is fine with contributing to the coffers of NY Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, and to the pseudo-Democratic org, Democrats for Ed Reform (DFER). Of course, there is still money for Betsy DeVos’ American Federation for Children, which is connected to DFER via Kevin Chavous.

NY: $2.96M, including New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany; Democrats for Education Reform NY; Coalitions for Public Charter Schools PAC; Andrew Cuomo 2018; New Yorkers for Independent Action; New Yorkers for Putting Students First; Leadership for Educational Equity NY; Parents Vote, New Yorkers for Independent Action, and Moving New York Families Forward.

An article in Baffler (9/5/2017, “Academe on the Auction Block”, by David Johnson) describes a professor at the University of New Orleans- Prof. Chris Suprenant (other public university professors are identified as well).
Integrity should prevent Koch libertarians from taking paychecks from public entities like universities. Citizens sacrificed to build public universities so that middle income and poor students had an alternative to legacy admission schools. The specter of political activists among staff undermining public institutions from within is repugnant because it reflects a betrayal of public trust. No private industry management would allow the organization’s existence to be jeopardized intentionally by
employees advocating for those who plot to destroy the organization.